Sylvia (Galitzer) Goldstein

Sylvia F. Goldstein passed away peacefully on July 29, 2024. Sylvia and her family enjoyed an active and full life in West Hartford, Connecticut for over 50 years.

With a lifelong passion for music and the piano, Sylvia was an accomplished pianist, educator and composer who shared her gifts and touched many lives. She was a soloist,
accompanist, organist, and member of various chamber music ensembles. She chaired the piano department of the Hartford Conservatory, taught private piano students,
lectured at local colleges, and enriched the musical environment at synagogues throughout her life.

Sylvia composed and published works for piano and voice and cantors, occasionally incorporating cello, flute, and other instruments. Among her compositions are Hebrew liturgical pieces, several of which have been honored at the Shalshelet International Foundation Festivals and in other anthologies. Her Chanukah Oratorio, “Who Can
Retell?” continues to be broadcast annually on cable television.

Born in Brooklyn, New York on June 18, 1936, Sylvia attended the Juilliard School of Music and Cornell University, earning her B.A. in Music, and later her M.A. in Music at the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1956, Sylvia married the love of her life, Rubin (“Ruby”) Goldstein, and the newlyweds
moved to northern California where she gave birth to the first two of their three “darling daughters,” before returning to Long Island.

Sylvia had a kind and gentle heart, a bright and creative intellect, and a gracious and humble spirit. She cherished the beauty of nature, flowers, art, language and word games, cooking, Chopin and walks in her neighborhood. Her heart shined to be Noah-Quinn’s Grandma. Above all, Sylvia shared an enormous love for her family, as well
as for friends, neighbors and her community.

Sylvia made a new home for herself over the last 3 years at Cabot Park Village in Newton, Massachusetts, a welcoming community of seniors and staff where she brought joy, music and delightful conversation to so many.
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Predeceased by: Her Husband of 60 years, Rubin Goldstein; Mother and Father, Philip and Rose Galitzer; Sister Bernice Cohen (and Bert Cohen); Brother Sidney Galitzer (and Rose Galitzer); Nephew Howard Steifel; Brother-in-law Murray Goldstein (and Esther Goldstein).

Survived by: Daughters Lori Jean Goldstein (Will Carter) of Denver, CO; Susan May Goldstein of Irvine, CA; Pamela Joy Goldstein (Mike Gefers) of Somerville, MA; grandson Noah-Quinn Goldstein-Gefers of Somerville, MA; and extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sylvia’s memory to Nashoba Learning Group or Hadassah.

Funeral services under the direction of Weinstein Mortuary of Hartford, CT.

Graveside Service:
Thursday, August 1st at 11:00 AM
Temple Sinai of Newington
41 West Hartford Rd.
Newington, CT 06111

Shiva to follow at a nearby private home

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sylvia’s memory to Nashoba Learning Group, www.nashobalearninggroup.org/ or Hadassah, www.hadassah.org.

Shiva immediately following at a private home nearby.